Fuel feeding mechanism for gas producers



Oct. 12, 1937. F. N. BECKER 2,095,587

FUEL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR GAS PRODUCERS Filed May 7, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 12, 1937. F. N. BECKER 2,095,587

FUEL FEEDING MECHNISM FOR GAS PRODUCERS Filed May 7, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 under greater than atmospheric pressure.

UNITED srar PATENT OFFICE FUEL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR GAS PRODUCERS Application May 7, 1934, Serial No. 724,415

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a gas producer and particularly to the fuel feeding or charging mechanism thereof.'

The ordinary gas producer is designed for continuous operation and comprises essentially a shell for enclosing a comparatively large body of fuel, a portion of which fuel isV in a state of combustion, means for introducing fresh fuel at the top of the producer, and means at its bottom for the continuous or intermittent removal of the resulting ash. In the operation of the producer a gaseous current, generally air with a certain proportion of intermixed .steam or water Vapor, is passed upwardly through the producer shell It is highly important that the velocity of this gaseous current be maintained as uniform as possible over the entire horizontal cross-sectional area of the producer as it is found that combustion occurs at a faster rate in one section of the producer if the velocity of the gas passing upwardly through that section is greater than the velocities of the gases passing upwardly through the remaining areas or sections of the fuel bed.

- Due to variations in the character of the fuel, it is not possible to obtain at all times uniform velocity of upward flow of combustion supporting air over the entire horizontal cross-section of the producer, and where it appears that there is an excessive velocity of gas flow through any definite area of theV fuel bed, it is customary for the operator to counteract this tendency by heaping `larger quantities of fresh fuel upon that area of the upper surface of the fuel body than upon the remaining areas. In other words, in the operation of a producer it is frequently necessary to apply fresh fuel to one particular area of the fuel bed upper surface in order to insure that combustion shall proceed at a uniform rate over the entire horizontal cross-sectional area of the body of fuel within the producer. The present invention contemplates an improved fuel feeding mechanism whereby the operator may cause the fuel tobe distributed-either uniformly over V. cal-1y positioned and hence `describes a circular (Cl. L18--86) path about the axis of revolution of the producer top. The pipes for leading water to and from the producer top are disposed axially of the top, and these cooling pipes are so disposed and arranged with respect to the revolving fuel feeding chute or conduit that there is no interference between the pipes and conduit due to movement of the producer top. The fuel feeding conduit embodies a lower section which projects through the charging aperture in the producer top and is so formed and mounted that it may be manipulated by the operator to direct fresh fuel to any area of the surface of the fuel bed within the producer. The fuel feeding conduit likewise 1ncludes a novel control valve for regulating the how of fuel through the conduit. Improved means is also provided for preventing the escape of producer gas to the atmosphere through the feed chute even when the upper end of this chute is open for the introduction of fresh fuel. The revolving top of the producer is formed in a novel manner, and theY water cooling means provided possesses advantages not heretofore realized in other types of water-cooled producer tops.

By way of example, one form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated, however, that in adapting the invention to producers which vary in details of construction and which are intended for the consumption of fuel of varying characteristics, the design and arrangement of the component elements of the invention may be considerably varied without departure therefrom.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical axial section through the upper portion of a gas producer having the novel revoluble top and water-cooling and fuel-feeding means, the fuel feeding conduit being broken away just above and below the valve, and the valve being illustrated in a position which makes an angle in a horizontal plane with its true position, in order that it might be shown in full longitudinal section;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, partly broken away;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through the fuel valve;

Figure 5 is a similar View but showing the valve member in a different position from that in which it is shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is an incomplete section on line 6-6 of Figure 2, on a somewhat larger scale.

Thevshell of the producer is indicated at l0 in Figure l. The exact design and construction of the shell are immaterial to the present invention, but preferably it is of the cylindrical watercooled type, which is commonly used. The grate mechanism, blowers, etc., are not illustrated and may be conventional in construction although preferably of the type described and claimed in my patent application Serial No. 726,982, led May 22, 1934.-

The upper level of the body of fuel in the producer is indicated at II, and the producer top is indicated generally at I2. The top comprises essentially two circular plates i3 and I of the same diameter and coaxially disposed about the central vertical axis of the producer shell, the lower plate lil being somewhat heavier than the upper plate I3 and the plates being arranged in spaced parallel planes. The under surface of the circular marginal portion of the upper plate and the upper surface of the marginal portion of the lower plate are secured respectively to the top and bottom surfaces of the flanges of an annular beam I5, preferably H-shaped in crosssection, the ends of this beam being suitably secured together so that it comprises a sealing member for water introduced between the plates I3 and I4 for cooling purposes, as well as a structural supporting and tying member. A plurality of radially extending braces, preferably formed as beams of H-section, are indicated at i6, the outer ends of each of these beams being secured to the circular member I5 and their upper and lower surfaces to the top and low-er plates i3 and I4 respectively, these radial members imparting strength and stiffness to the central portion of the top.

The top of the producer is apertured at a plurality of points, a relatively large aperture for fuel charging purposes being indicated at 20, and a cylindrical sleeve comprises the wall of the aperture, the upper end of the sleeve making water-tight connection with the upper plate, and the lower end of the sleeve making water-tight connection with the lower plate. Four smaller apertures, also defined by sleeves which pass through and are secured to the upper and lower plates, are provided, one of these rbeing indicated at 2l in Figure l. These apertures are known as viewing apertures or poke-holes and are disposed respectively at different radial distances from the axis of revolution of the top. Normally these last mentioned apertures are closed to prevent the escape of gas, each closure comprising essentially a fixed seat secured to the upper plate I3 of the top and indicated at 22, an annular removable plug 23 mountedupon seat 22, and a smaller removable plug 24 fitting in the central recess in annular plug 23. By removing plug 2&3, the operator uncovers a relatively small aperture through which he may view the upper surface of the fuel bed in the producer. Upon removal of both plugs 23 and 2d, a larger aperture is presented through which a slice bar or poker may be inserted.

Secured to the lower surface of the lower plate I4 is an annular trackway 25, this trackway being also directly beneath the supporting annular frame member I 5. Trackway 25 rests upon a plurality of rollers, of which there may be six or more, one of these rollers being indicated at 26, the axle 2l upon which the roller is mounted being supported upon pillow blocks 28 which are in turn mounted upon brackets 2d rigidly secured to the outer surface of the producer shell. Annexternally toothed ring 30 is fastened to the web of the annular frame member I5, and mesh` ing with the teeth of this external ring are the teeth of a pinion 3| which comprises the driving pinion whereby the top and the fuel feeding mechanism, to be hereafter described, may be intermittently or continuously revolved and at the desired speed. I preferably drive the pinion 3| through reducing gearing, indicated generally at 33, from a variable speed electric motor, but other types of driving mechanisms may be provided if desired. A gas-off'take is indicated at 34 and a water sealing device at 35, this water seal comprising a downwardly extending annular plate 36, the upper edge of which is secured to bottom plate I 4 of the producer top and an annular member 37. of angular crossesection which, in combination with the adjacent face of the outer surface of the producer shell, defines an annular trough adapted to contain a body of water into which the cylindrical plate 36 projects. The body of water within this trough is sufciently deep to prevent the escape of gas between the top of the shell and the botttom of the producer top under normal operating pressures, while the seal permits free revolution of the top relatively to the shell.

The fuel feeding mechanism includes a hopper member di) disposed above the producer top and a conduit or chute for leading fuel by gravity from the lower portion of this hopper to and through the eccentric fuel charging aperture 20 in the producer top. The hopper 4D is supported in any suitable manner by means not illustrated. It preferably has a conical bottom terminating at its lower end in a cylindrical discharge tube 4l which is coaxial with the producer top I2. The lower end of this discharge tube 4I is in concentric relationship with the upper end 42 of the feed chute, generally indicated at 43, and by means of which fuel is conducted from the hopper to the producer. The feed chute is revoluble with the producer top, and hence the upper section 42 of the chute revolves relatively to the discharge tube 4I of the hopper. To prevent leakage of gas between these relatively rotatable parts, they are caused to have close sliding fit with each other, and in addition the water sealing device indicated generally at 44 is provided. The chute 43 is suitably supported from the producer top, a portion of a bracing member provided for this purpose being indicated at 43.

Just below the upper section 42 of chute 43 is the inclined section 45 which in turn opens into the lowermost vertically extending section 46 of the chute, this lowermost section being coaxial with the charging aperture 29 of the top. This lowermost section includes a control valve generally indi-cated at 4T, the valve casing being provided with a central aperture in alignment with the portions of the chute above and below the same, and also includes a revoluble lower end section, indicated at 49, having a deecting member 5I) by means of which coal falling vertically through the chute may bedirected to one area or another of the surface of the fuel bed in the producer.

The revoluble section 49 and coal distributing member 5I) are of heavier section than other portions of the chute so as to withstand the wear incident to the impact of coal falling through the chute and are shown to be supported upon a supporting and guiding ring 5| mounted upon the upper plate I3 of the producer top, a flange 50 of member 49 resting in a groove formed in this guide. To the upper end of member 49 issecured the tubular extension 53 of `lighter section, the upper end of which makes a sliding t with tubular section 54 of the chute. Fixed upon the outer surface of tubular member 53 is a worm wheel 55, the `teeth of which mesh with the teeth :of a worm 56. A worm shaft 51 is supported in bearings 58 mounted in the wall of a cylindrical housing member 59, the shaft projecting externally of this housing and having mounted upon its end a hand'wheel 60 by means of which it may be rotated and -hence rotation of the coal distributing member effected.

The lower edge of the cylindrical housing 59 is detachably connected, as vby an annular angle member 62, to the upper plate I3 of the top, and the annular top plate 63 of the housing is secured to the section 54 of the chute, preferably by welding. This housing therefore constitutes a gas-tight enclosure for the'revoluble coal distributing` member and prevents the escape to the atmosphere of `any gas which may pass the sliding'joint between members 53 and 54. A guide ring V65 encircles the worm wheel 55 and is secured to the inner wall of cylindrical member 59 of the housing, this guide ring having surfaces which slidably engage portions of the worm wheel just above and below the teeth thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the valve for controlling the flow of fuel through the feed chute. The valve member comprises a horizontally disposed and movable plate 18 having a port A1| with a frusto-conical wall as shown, the diameter of which at its lower end is less than the diameter of the feed chute. The plate moves between upper and lower valve seats, the upper seat being indicated at 12 and the lower seat at 13, both seats being annular, the lower seat resting upon the bottom plate of the casing and the upper seat resting upon the upper surface of the valve member. The upper seat 12 is adjustable and is normally held in close sliding engagement with the upper surface of the valve member by means of a series of adjusting screws 14. By means of these screws the proper adjustment of the upper seat with respect to the valve member may be maintained while at the same time it is always possible, by releasing the screwsfto free the valve member should it become stuck or bound between the upper and lower seats because of the'presence of dust or because of rusting of the surfaces due to the presence of moisture.

At the ends of the valve casing there are provided enlarged chambers, indicated at 15 and 15 respectively, which are adapted to receive dust carried laterally by the valve memberV in its movements. The dust collecting chamber 15 is provided with a removable plate 11, and chamber 15 likewise has a removable plate 18, it being possible to free these chambers of any collected dust by removal of the plates just mentioned. Movement of the valve member to control the downward gravity ow of fuel is brought about by manipulation of the hand wheel 19 which is rigidly mounted upon the end of the valve stem 88, stem 88 being threaded and passing through a threaded nut 8| xed in extension 82 of the casing, the inner end of the stem 88 having an enlargement, or being provided with Ya nut 83, by means of which it is locked to the valve member but in such manner as to be freely revoluble relatively thereto.

The port 1| formed in the valve member is Y frusto-conical as shown. By reason of the fact that the diameter of the chute just below the valve member is somewhat greater than the diameter of the portion of the chute lying just above this member, complete closure of the conduit above the valve is effected prior to the time when the port is moved entirely out of communication with that-portion of the conduit lying below the valve. This may be seen clearly from an inspection of Figure 5. Thus an aperture remains through which any particles of coalV or coal dustmay be discharged downwardly from the valve port after Vclosure of the chute and will not be trapped between the upper and lower valve seats. vBecause of this a minimum amount of dust will `be moved onto the lower valve seat when the valve is closed, and wear and interference `will be reduced to a minimum. Naturally the port need not be frusto-conical to effect this desired end, but I prefer to so form it in order that the upper end of the port may closely approximate in area the area of the chute just above it in order that there may be no ledge or shoulder exposed to the falling fuel.

The hopper 40 is charged through an aperture formed in its top, which aperture is encircled by the annular upwardly projecting flange 85. A swinging cover for the charging aperture in the hopper is indicated at 85, such cover being pivotally suspended from one end of a lever 81 pivotally supported at 88 upon a bracket mounted upon the upper surface of the hopper top. The opposite'end of lever 81 is provided with a coun-V terweight 89 which approximately counterbalances the weight of the cover 86. Normally the cover is held in closed position by a manually operable latch 98 which holds it tightly against its seat, a gas-tight gasket of any suitable material being interposed between the cover and seat to decrease the likelihood of gas leakage. When a fresh charge of fuel is to be placed in the hopper, the latch 9U is released, the cover 85 swung to one side, the fuel introduced, and the cover replaced and relatched.

Prior to charging, it is desirable to clear the hopper and the associated fuel chute of its contained gas in order to prevent discharge of this gas into the surrounding atmosphere when the cover is removed. To effect this, steam is introduced into the hopper through the Ypipe 9|, a sufficient quantity of steam being blown into the hopper to evacuate thegas and drive it back into the produceragainst the producer pressure. The valve member 10 may then be closed, and to maintain the lower section of the feed chute clear of gas, steam may be introduced at 92 from any suitable source.

4 With the valve closed and by the introduction of steam through inlet port 92, passage of gas upwardly through the chute is prevented for as long as may be desired, thus making it possible for the operator to inspect and repair any portion of the hopper or feed chute above the valve.

VAs has been before explained, the space between the upper and lower plates of the producer top is for the reception of cooling water, and this water is introduced into the top and withdrawn therefrom by pipes extending along the axis of revolution of the top. Projecting upwardly and detachably secured to the upper plate I3 of the top at the center thereof is a water-tight housing of circular cross-section indicated at |80, the in'- terior of this housing opening at its lower end into the water-cooling space of the producer top and its upper end being provided with an annular flange IUI which makes a revoluble but watertight fit with the outer surface of the axially disposed water-outlet pipe |02, the sliding joint between these two relatively rotatable members being suitably packed to prevent water leakage. The water conducting pipe |02 extends upwardly and makes a water-tight joint at its upper end with a manifold |03, opening into the lower chamber |04 of this manifold. The chamber |04 is in communication with the outlet pipe |05 extending radially to a suitable point of disposal for the water discharged after having performed its cooling functions.

A Water-inlet pipe |06 is disposed parallel to pipe |05 and has communication with the upper chamber |01 of manifold |03. rIlhis upper chamber |01 is brought into communication by means of the axially disposed pipe |08 with a series of radiating pipes |09 disposed in the cooling chamber of the producer top, the outer or discharge ends of these pipes |09 being positioned adjacent the periphery of the producer top so that the cooling water' is rst discharged into the outer portion of the cooling space. At their inner ends the radially disposed water-distributing pipes |09 communicate with the interior of a revoluble manifold |0 mounted upon the lower plate I4 of the producer top, this manifold H0 having an upwardly extending cylindrical flange disposed coaxially of the producer top which makes a water-tight sliding t with a downturned fiange member ||2 mounted upon the lower end of the stationary Water inlet pipe |03. Suitable packing is provided for preventing leakage of water between relatively revolving members and ||2. Pipe |08 is provided with a union ||3 and a coupling H4, and the external pipe |02 is formed in two sections provided with mutually engaging flanges l5 detachably connected together. By reason of the fact that the housing |00 is detachably connected to the upper plate I3 and because of the provision of the union ||3, coupling H4, and flange connection ||5, it is easily possible to disconnect the vertically disposed inlet and outlet pipes from the producer top should this be necessary for cleaning, repacking, o-r repair.

In order to protect the manifold |03 and the v water pipes connected thereto fromthe downwardly moving fuel, a guard or deflecting tube I6 is provided, this tube being supportedcentrally of the discharge tube 4| of the hopper, a second guard tube ||`l being provided for protecting the laterally extending water inlet and outlet pipes. The outer surface of tube makes a gas-tight joint with the wall of discharge tube 4|; A third guard or protecting tube ||8 is disposed below and concentrically with guard tube ||6, tube |8 passing through the inclined section By the means just described it is possible to supply cooling water in desired quantities to the rotating producer top While at the same time supplying fuel to the producer from a hopper located above it, and to an aperture positioned eccentrically in the producer top, without causing gas leakage or interference between the various operating parts.

It will be appreciated that the fuel feeding and water cooling mechanisms illustrated in the drawingsand described in detail are one embodment only of the invention and that, in applying the invention, the design and arrangement of the various component elements may be considerabljr altered.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Fuel feeding means for a gas producer comprising afuel storage hopper having an opening for the introduction of fuel and an opening for the discharge of fuel therefrom, a removable gastight closure for the first mentioned opening, a gas-tight chute leading from thev last mentioned opening to a producer top, a fuel valve in said chute, means for introducing inert gas or steam under pressure into the hopper to evacuate the producer gas from the hopper and chute prior to the removal of the hopper closure, and means for introducing gas or steam under pressure into the chute below said valve.

2. Fuel feeding means for a gas producer comprising a fuel storage hopper having an opening for the introduction of fuel and an opening for the discharge of vfuel therefrom, a removable gastight closure for the first-mentioned opening, a gas-tight chute leading from the last mentioned opening to aproducer top, a valve in said chute, means forV introducing inert gas or steam under pressure into the hopper and into the chute above l said valve to evacuate the producer gas from the hopper and chute above said valve, and means for introducing inert gas or steam under pressure 'into said chute below said valve, whereby producer gas is prevented from passing said valve.

FRANK N. BECKER. 

